Birds in Berkshire
Explore 149 species found in this region.
Berkshire is home to a rich diversity of birdlife, with 149 species recorded across the county's varied habitats, from the Thames Valley wetlands and gravel pits to ancient woodlands and open farmland. Notable species include the striking Mandarin Duck, which thrives along the county's wooded waterways, as well as wintering visitors such as the Northern Pintail and Common Merganser. Whether you're exploring the reedbeds of Dinton Pastures or the heathlands near Bracknell, Berkshire offers rewarding birdwatching throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for Barn Swallow and Common Redstart arriving this month, and Bohemian Waxwing and Common Merganser depart for the season.
Showing 70–92 of 149 species
Great Tit
Parus majorLC
One of Berkshire's most familiar garden birds, common year-round and a regular visitor to feeders across the county.
Year-round
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally found among Tufted Duck flocks on larger waters in autumn and winter. Always a noteworthy inland record.
Oct–Jan
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropusLC
Found along Berkshire's watercress beds, streams and gravel pits almost year-round. Bobs distinctively when disturbed.
Jun–Apr
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
An uncommon resident of gardens and farmland edges, declining significantly due to trichomonosis disease. Still visits feeders across the county.
Year-round
Greenshank
Tringa nebulariaLC
A rare passage migrant, occasionally seen at Berkshire's reservoirs and gravel pits in May and again in late summer.
May–Sep
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A common year-round presence along the Thames, Kennet and gravel pit lakes, often seen standing motionless at the water's edge.
Year-round
Grey Partridge
Perdix perdixLC
A rare and declining resident of arable farmland in the county. Increasingly hard to find, with most records from the first half of the year.
Jan–Jun
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLC
An uncommon resident found along streams, rivers and weirs throughout the county. Its bright yellow underparts and bobbing tail are distinctive.
Year-round
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Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
An uncommon year-round resident found on gravel pits and reservoirs. Ancestor of domestic geese, with a growing feral population in the Thames Valley.
Year-round
Hobby
Falco subbuteoLC
An elegant summer visitor breeding in Berkshire's heathlands and woodland edges from April to September. Hunts dragonflies and swallows on the wing.
Apr–Sep
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
An uncommon summer visitor nesting under eaves in towns and villages, present from April to October before migrating south.
Apr–Oct
House Sparrow
Passer domesticusLC
A common resident closely associated with human habitation, nesting under eaves and in roof spaces. Numbers have declined but it remains widespread.
Year-round
Jack Snipe
Lymnocryptes minimusLC
A scarce autumn and winter passage visitor to boggy margins of gravel pits and water meadows. Easily overlooked due to its skulking habits.
Oct–Dec
Jackdaw
Coloeus monedulaLC
An abundant resident found around churches, old buildings and farmland across Berkshire. Often seen in noisy, sociable flocks.
Year-round
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
An uncommon resident seen hovering over roadside verges and open farmland throughout the county year-round.
Year-round
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
Present all year at reservoirs and landfill sites, though numbers peak in summer. Increasingly common inland across southern England.
Year-round
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Dryobates minorLC
A rare and declining species, most likely detected by its drumming in March in mature broadleaved woodland.
Mar
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
A scarce summer breeder arriving in April, favouring tall hedgerows and scrubby woodland edges. Its rattling song is distinctive but easily overlooked.
Apr–Sep
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
An uncommon resident of farmland, heathland and rough ground. Often forms sociable flocks outside the breeding season along field margins.
Year-round
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
Now resident year-round along Berkshire's rivers and gravel pits, having colonised the county in recent decades. Numbers are slowly increasing.
Year-round
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
A resident of Berkshire's ponds, lakes and slow-moving rivers. Its distinctive whinnying trill carries across the water year-round.
Year-round
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
A rare spring passage visitor, occasionally noted over Berkshire's reservoirs and gravel pits in April. Dainty flight is distinctive.
Apr
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
A rare and declining breeder in Berkshire's farmland, favouring old barns and pollarded willows. Largely sedentary but increasingly hard to find.
May–Aug